Description
The Core Infrastructure is actually an aggregation of several systems upon which most of our user-accessible systems and services depend. From a layman’s high level perspective, the Core systems can be considered a single large service because in most cases, we provision virtual servers along with their virtual data storage from within the Core — currently over 20 of our servers are virtual machines operating that way. Individual IT services then run on one or more of these virtual servers. Our virtual servers each run either Windows 2003 Server, Windows 2008 Server, or Red Hat Enterprise Linux. Additional information is on the IMS web site.
The Core Infrastructure includes:
- VMWare ESX cluster:
- One cluster of 3 Dell PowerEdge 2950 servers
- One cluster of 4 Dell PowerEdge 2970 servers
- Primary Data Storage:
- Dell-Compellent SAN with 40TB raw capacity in 2 performance tiers, fiber-channel and iSCSI connection
- EMC EX4 SAN with 30TB raw capacity, fiber-channel and iSCSI connection
- Secondary and Backup Data Storage:
- Dell PowerVault MD3000i – 9TB usable capacity over RAID5/9 through iSCSI
- Dell PowerVault MD1000 – 20TB usable capacity over RAID5/9 through iSCSI
- 2 Sun X4540 “Thor” direct-attached storage servers with 48TB raw capacity each
- Preservation storage
- Dell DX6000 distributed object storage system with 96TB raw capacity
- McData Fibre-Channel switches (dual redundant fabric)
- APC UPSes
When is this service available
The IT Core Infrastructure systems are normally available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If a planned outage must occur, it will be announced on LibNews-L and typically scheduled during our Scheduled Maintenance Period (5 a.m. – 9 a.m. Sundays, excepting finals weeks).
Priority level for this service
Maintaining the normal operations of the IT Core Infrastructure systems is the #1 critical priority for Library IT Infrastructure Management & Support group (IT/IMS). We and the system vendors make every effort to resolve problems with this service as quickly as possible, including evenings and weekends. We have automated systems to monitor and alert IMS staff if systems fail. Also, the Compellent SAN is proactively monitored by the vendor 24 hours a day, 7 days a week under support contract, and VMware is under a 24 hours a day, 7 days a week support contract.
How to report a problem
Any significant problem with the Core Infrastructure will cause multiple user-accessible systems/services to be downgraded or unavailable, and those services each have their own distinct Service Commitments. It is unlikely that Library staff would be able to directly detect a Core Infrastructure outage, but if multiple systems dependent on it fail together, it is a likely cause.
During business hours (8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday) please log a ticket with the IT Help Desk or call the Help Desk at 244-4688.
If it is outside normal business hours (8:30 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday through Friday) and you believe there is a widespread outage, please call 244-4688 and leave a message with the Library IT Help Desk answering service (aka the AITS Service Desk). In an emergency situation the answering service will contact Library IT on-call support staff promptly.
Who can use this service
It is not directly accessible to Library employees or patrons.
Service managers
The IT/Infrastructure Management & Support group manages the IT Core Infrastructure.
Dependencies on other services
- CITES network infrastructure
- Electrical Power and Server Room Cooling (F&S)
Date created
September 3, 2008
Date revised
January 17, 2012